Simpson apologises for Mayer story

Jessica Simpson is reportedly attempting to mend bridges with magazine editors after an attempt to garner publicity with claims of a romance with John Mayer went sour.

The singer's former publicist Rob Shuter is said to have masterminded the plan to get her name in the headlines with the manufactured story, and even managed to convince People magazine to run a cover piece about Simpson's relationship with the singer-songwriter.

According to Radar Online, the star has since made personal 'off-the-record' phone calls to leading figures in key celebrity magazines in order to regain some credibility after being blasted for the debacle.

A source revealed: "She's wondering why they all turned on her."

"It was kind of like, 'Hi, I'm actually a human being,'" another noted.

Although many editors listened to Simpson's plea, People editor Larry Hackett apparently refused to take her call, saying he was too busy preparing the latest issue of his magazine.